Acceptable cham light?

[Madmax44]

Quick question for the experts out there: Is the Reptile UV Aqualight (24" single lamp, 65 watt Desert 7% UVB straight pin fluorescent lamp, with polished reflector) a good UVB light for chams? It says "Optimal amounts of UVA and UVB" on the package, but after reading some of the threads relating to lighting I'm a bit leary! Better to ask a stupid question now...

It will be on top of a 2x2x4 dark mesh enclosure. I was going to get a simple fluor. setup with a ReptiSun 5.0, but was gifted with this light by a relative.

If it's a good light, what would a good distance to set the basking branches at?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

 

[Dean Pulcini]

Its a good strong light but you have to make sure its still producing uva/uvb. How old is the bulb? They must be replaced after about 7 months of use thats why I went out and bought a solar meter for proper readings at different distances. The mesh blocks out alot of uv I don't think you have to worry about distance your main concern should be the age of the bulb. A 2x2x4 is to large for small lamp you should have a light that is 2 foot long.

 

[Dave Weldon]

...Reptile UV Aqualight (24" single lamp, 65 watt Desert 7% UVB straight pin fluorescent lamp, with polished reflector) a good UVB light for chams?...

Howdy Fred,

The Reptile UV Aqualight is not a stellar performer but not what I'd call dangerous like some others out there. I tested the 22" 55W version with its fancy reflector fixture for a fellow keeper. A brand new tube tested at only 8uW/cm2 at a distance of 6 inches. A new ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 15W 18" tube a so-so reflector measures about 45uW/cm2 at 6 inches before burn-in and probably around 25uW/cm2 after a few hundred hours. More is not necessarily better but I just worry about the overall performance of those ESU tubes. Bottom line: If you can, go ahead a get a Reptisun 5.0 and eliminate that part of the husbandry puzzle.

 

[Duke]

After looking into it a bit I am now convinced that there is no optimum light. Each situation and even each bulb varies. One needs a UV meter to actually know which would be "optimum"

Duke

 

[Madmax44]

Thanks for all the good info! I'm going to bite the bullet, return the lights that were gifted, and get a Reptisun 5.0. More hassle...but definitely worth the peace of mind knowing we'll keep Lizzy healthy.

Cheers.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Thanks for all the good info! I'm going to bite the bullet, return the lights that were gifted, and get a Reptisun 5.0. More hassle...but definitely worth the peace of mind knowing we'll keep Lizzy healthy.

Cheers.

Excellent call ... in my opinion.

-Brad